Disappointing Bank Holiday Defeat at Ballymena

After all games in the NCU being called off due to weather on Saturday, Bangor took the road to Ballymena hoping to gain 4 points kickstarting their campaign after a disappointing opening day performance against Muckamore. Bangor won the toss and elected to put Ballymena into bat. Bangor looking for a strong start came true as the experienced veteran David Kennedy opening the bowling dismissed M. Glass for none in the first over for 0 caught behind for R. McClarnon. B. Escott opened from the opposite end bringing electric pace to the Ballymena openers taking two overs to make his mark on the game picking up the wicket of S. Colgan (LBW) and L. Peters – the Ballymena pro (caught G. Prince) who looked dangerous from the outset playing attacking shots from the outset. Ultimately it was Escott who was victorious taking both wickets in his third over with the support of Kennedy bowled a tight line and length building pressure on the batsmen. Pressure took its toll as Escott picked up his third wicket in the space of 7 balls J. Kennedy (caught G. Prince) which had Ballymena rattled and in need of a strong partnership to revive their innings before it was too late. J. Glass came to the crease at number 5 and looked to steady the ship. A change of bowling at the top end bringing J. Bates into the equation and it only took the Bangor Badger a matter of 6 balls to add another wicket to his already impressive tally. The introduction of right arm spinner K. Samunderu paid dividends as the Bangor pro took a wicket in the first ball of his spell (J. Gibson LBW). Kuda continued on from his first over bowling tightly restricting Ballymena to little runs as they were 67-6. The tie at this point was well and truly in Bangors hands. Left arm spinner W. Simpson brought into the attack hoping to finish off Ballymena for a low total, beginning with a maiden in his first over. Spinners Samunderu and Simpson plugged away at both ends giving it their all to get the prize wicket of the sensible J. Glass who had kept himself in the game scoring where he could in the hope of boosting the Ballymena total to a respectable and defendable total. With wickets falling for little contribution to give him any support. Simpson taking the wicket of M. Caitiness (Bowled) in his third over seemed to unravel Ballymenas chance at batting out their overs. Ballymenas O. Dick and J. Glass began pushing on for Ballymena before Simpson removed both in the space of three overs, both bringing Ballymena to 99-9. J. Glass 46. Ballymenas last wicket partnership seemed to sway the balance of the game back towards a more even game with A. Frazer adding 12 and P. Black 15 respectively both finishing not out. Ballymena 139-9 off their 50 overs.

The second innings beginning with J. Keenan & M. Martin looked to build upon a fantastic bowling and fielding performance from the visitors. It was not to be for Martin as he departed in the fourth over for 2 runs (bowled O.Dick). This brought the dangerous K. Samunderu to the crease who began strongly putting away a loose ball but was ultimately not to be for the overseas pro as he was bowled by O.Dick for 5. To the crease came J. Parker the Bangor skipper looking to put Ballymena to the sword and lead his side to victory and a very welcome 4 points this dream was shattered as the Bangor skipper departed for 0 bowled by J. Glass, carrying on with the ball where he left off with the bat by then picking up another quick wicket, that of R. McClarnon departed for 6. During the collapse of Bangors batting order J. Keenan was proving his experience as he stuck about taking runs where he could but staying in the game with Keenan still at the crease there was some hope for the travelling seasiders as one partnership could sway the tie in their favour. G. Prince spent time at the crease trying to craft a smart innings but could not do so as he was given out LBW bowled by Glass. K. King -1. B. Escott – 0. W. Simpson 5. All going very cheaply. J. Keenan the stand out batsman for Bangor departing for 35. The Bangor men seemed to throw away the game by giving away their wickets cheaply, with nothing to be taken away by the Ballymena bowlers who played smart cricket bowling in good areas for extended periods of time and setting smart fields. The tie began to fall out of Bangors reach. A last wicket partnership of J. Bates and D. Kennedy of 24 gave Bangor one last shred of hope, but it was not to be as Ballymena defeated Bangor by 34 runs. A Bangor batting collapse was their own demise. Bangor would like to wish Ballymena luck with the rest of their season and are excited to host them later in the season at Upritchard.

Bal 139-9
J Glass 46
W Simpson 3-18, B Escott 3-36

BCC 109ao
J Keenan 35
J Glass 3-17, M Glass 2-17, O Dick 2-23

Ballymena won by 30 Runs